Investment in women’s health welcomed by the Women’s Health Services Network
Victoria’s leading network of women’s health organisations has welcomed the Victorian Government’s investment in women’s health in this week's budget release
5 May 2026
The Victorian Women’s Health Service Network (WHSN) welcomes the Victorian Government’s investment in the health, safety and wellbeing of Victoria’s women in the 2026-27 budget.
The one-year commitment to maintaining women’s health services’ funding will make a significant difference for women and gender diverse people across the state, supporting preventative health promotion, education and primary prevention.
Women’s health services are on the ground in every community, and represent a proven, cost-effective model: improving women and gender diverse people’s wellbeing, safety, economic participation and social inclusion, while reducing long-term costs to the health system and other government services.
The continued funding will ensure that women and gender diverse people will continue to access the critical health and wellbeing services they need no matter their geographical location. The community will also continue to reap the benefits of a statewide infrastructure to prevent family violence, as well as the vital specialist expertise in multicultural health, disability and rural health and wellbeing.
The Victorian Women’s Health Services look forward to working with the Victorian Government to continue advancing more equitable environments where people live, work, learn and play, while increasing access to healthcare for women and gender diverse people from underserved communities.
“This includes those living with a disability, multicultural communities, and people living in rural and outer metropolitan areas,” said WHSN Chair and Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health CEO Dr Adele Murdolo.
“When communities are struggling with cost-of-living pressures and uncertainty, it is particularly vital that those who need it most have the ongoing and sustained support of their local women’s health service.”
Further contact:
Dr Adele Murdolo, Chair, Women’s Health Services Network
Phone: 0438 823 299 Email:adele@mcwh.com.au
About Women's Health Services Network
The Women's Health Services Network has been a driving force progressing and shaping Victoria’s women’s health and equality space for four decades. While our services were established and funded independently of one another, collaboration has been a strong part of our history. Today, the 12 women’s health services funded through the state government’s Victorian Women’s Health Program collaborate under the title the ‘Victorian Women’s Health Services Network’. This enables us to work as a coordinated, mutually-reinforcing statewide network comprising both place-based and specialist services.
Website: www.whsn.org.au
WHSN Members: Women’s Health Victoria | Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health | Women with Disabilities Victoria | GenWest | Women’s Health in the North | Women’s Health East | Women’s Health in the South East | Women’s Health Loddon Mallee | Women’s Health Grampians | Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West | Women’s Health Goulburn North East | Gippsland Women’s Health